Boog Powell makes Athletics debut a day later than expected

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Boog Powell got to make his Oakland Athletics debut a day later than he planned. He wound up in the emergency room Friday night instead when he struggled to breathe before the game.

Powell, acquired from the Seattle Mariners last Sunday for Yonder Alonso, was fighting a cold and experienced an asthma attack he said had him breathing at about 50 percent. He received a breathing treatment and was able to recover quickly. He arrived at the Coliseum about noon Saturday, ate something and began testing himself with some game-speed running.

Manager Bob Melvin wrote him into the lineup leading off and playing center field for the middle game of a series against the Baltimore Orioles — and Powell's parents stayed in town for his second try after the scare. He hadn't experienced an asthma attack in at least 10 years, though keeps an inhaler with him at all times just in case.